Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Staff photo: Matthew Asher Portales senior Freddy Exiga dribbles through two Robertson defenders in the second half of Tuesday’s match in Portales. Exiga had one assist in the first half helping Portales win 10-1.
STAFF WRITER
The unbeaten Portales boys soccer team continued to prepare for its upcoming District 4-4A schedule on Tuesday, blowing out Robertson 10-1 at PHS.
In almost a mirror-image of their 7-2 victory over St. Michael’s on Saturday, the Rams (8-0) again had to play a man down nearly the entire game as Jesus Lavalle got a red card, this time for slide-tackling Robertson’s T.J. Trujillo on an early breakaway scoring opportunity. Trujillo made his penalty kick, giving Robertson (2-4-1) a 1-0 lead less than a minute into the match.
Staff photo: Matthew Asher
Portales senior Freddy Exiga dribbles through two Robertson defenders in the second half of Tuesday’s match in Portales. Exiga had one assist in the first half helping Portales win 10-1.
The lead was short-lived, though, as Portales tied the score in the fourth minute when junior Alvaro Alvarez notched his first of two goals. Alvarez put the Rams up for good just three minutes later, with Jesus Chavez responsible for assists on both goals.
From that point on, it was all Portales as the Rams outshot the Cardinals 23-4 and had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.
“There wasn’t one single player that stood out,” Rams coach Nathan Dodge said. “We had a ton of assists and a ton of goals from everybody. We played together well as a team. Whether it was moving to defense or attacking, they all did their job.”
Six of the Rams’ goals were scored via assist. Alvarez, Junior Salomon had a hat trick while Pedro Perea added a pair of goals.
Other Rams goals were scored by Chavez and Julian Tellez.
The team certainly is jelling, and Dodge said he knows exactly why.
“These guys hang out all the time, 24-7,” he said. “If it’s in school, at practice or having a FIFA tournament, they are always together. The team camaraderie is great.”
The Lady Rams weren’t as lucky as their male counterparts as the Lady Cardinals left Portales with a 5-2 victory.
Portales (5-7) conceded their first goal about three minutes into the match. The Lady Rams had plenty of chances as they outshot Robertson 14-13 but in the end, just Angie Gonzalez and Kimberlie Hay got on the scoring sheet for Portales.
“We played good again,” Lady Rams coach Ruben Tellez said. “We just fell short again. It’s the little things that are hurting us.
The Rams will return to the pitch Thursday to host Artesia (1-7-2). The Lady Rams will start district play next as they will host Hope Christian (7-2) on Saturday afternoon.
